Self-initiated Project

For this unit, I am developing a self-initiated project around my personal interest: Birds.

Figure 1: Sketchbook drawing.

I have started a series of sketchbook drawings around golden eagle. Developing my colour palette.

I thought about the work that I am aiming to create and where my strengths are; narrative and storytelling pieces. Therefore, I look at related artists and their careers of the work they create. I have chosen to work within textiles to develop my abilities in this area and to enhance techniques I already use.  Once again, this is handcrafted piece that will develop my abilities in multi-head machine stiches and blended with handcraft techniques.

Figure 2: Infanta Series: Go, Elizabeth Tarr

For Tarr’s work is about narrative and storytelling.

‘I tell stories that reflect on the dynamics of relationships: with themes both revealed and hidden. Recent work is inspired by Velazquez' paintings, the mysterious 'Las Meninas' particularly, and images of Infantas. Poetry and landscape also influence my work. I've been working with indigo for over ten years now. I like to draw images out of the dark blue dye on paper or fabric, using bleach. Images are worked on over a period of months: re-dyeing, washing, embellishing with stitch and lead pieces, until the desired 'mood' is achieved.’ Elizabeth Tarr.

Figure 3: Sketchbook drawing.

This is not the original colour of the bird.  Originally, it was brown.  I am working on a sequence of a story. My interests in stories about birds, mixed with memory, Greek mythology and folklore. I would like to create a piece that is my own story that the audience can see within one piece and relate to the story.   Upon feedback, I have learned to adjust the composition and space in my drawing and let my imagination run wild.  I do not wish to copy Tarr’s work but use it as a platform for my own ideas.  This makes the work unique.  Birds are able to fly to places human’s cannot. Birds represent freedom and so I wish to develop these universal symbols to create a narrative of my own.

The bird can tell the audience things that humans could not.. Instead of having the bird individually on its own, I will think about the composition.  Aimed at specific exhibitions. I wish to work alongside this group: http://www.62group.org.uk/artist/elizabeth-tarr-4/

For the next stage, I am going to visual research the story about golden eagles or other birds or even creates my own.

For the market, I am hoping the narrative uses no words just the image.  I am aware that this will be accessible to all ages.  A story is usually aimed at a group, either children or adults.